Accreditation is an important university characteristic that students consider first and foremost when they choose any particular educational establishment for themselves. It is also a way for the government to exercise its control in the area of higher education in order to secure the high quality of future cadres’ preparation. In the following paper, I have my purpose to reflect on the two points of view on the importance of accreditation related in two articles by Eaton and Neal.
Addressing the value of accreditation, it is important to state that it rather significant. Setting equal and well-thought standards for educational institutions is necessary for their successful functioning and development. Thus, the government continues to perform its control in this area and puts a lot of work into controlling the quality standards of higher education. The government supports “the value and effectiveness of the U.S. higher-education enterprise, including its traditions of self-governance and self-regulation, with accreditation as a reliable and respected means to assure students and society of its worth” (Eaton 2007).
Of course, accreditation in itself does not mean that students get a better educational experience as this also depends on many more university characteristics and the personal qualities of the student; however, it does exceed such chances for a student. To be able to correspond to the high standards set by the accreditation committee, the educational institutions strive to organize their academic process in a way corresponding to modern requirements. This, in turn, affects the quality of teachers’ work and any other academic services which are to be provided by the universities. All of that definitely establishes a good ground for acquiring a better educational experience by the student. In addition, accreditation is a means to tackle cheat in the area of educational institutions. The student receives due guarantees which assure the high quality of the service provided in any particular educational establishment.
I believe accreditation will be equally or even more important in the future. The world is globalized around certain standards set in any possible area; and education is not an exception; the set standards for educational establishments such as accreditation will continue to be important. Eaton makes the following comment as to the importance of accreditation in the future; “Because it is the primary means by which higher education ensures and improves its quality—and, crucially, accreditation is also subject to federal control” (2007).
As a future higher educational professional I also understand the importance of accreditation. For me personally, it is a guarantee for a better future. This conclusion may be supported by numerous facts including better chances for successful employment, better knowledge received, equal opportunities as compared to the other students graduating from other educational institutions with similar accreditation, the opportunity to receive a studying experience in the other countries which have similar accreditation standards and similarly, to be employed in those countries.
Concluding on all the above-mentioned information, it should be stated that the importance of accreditation for higher educational institutions can hardly be overestimated. Accreditation is very important for guaranteeing relevant standards of quality of the education received. In addition, accreditation is a successful mechanism enabling the government to exercise its control in the area of preparing new well-qualified specialists. Finally, accreditation is a means to tackle cheat in the area of educational institutions. The student receives due guarantees which assure the high quality of the service provided in any particular educational establishment.
References
Eaton, J. (2007). Institutions, accreditors and the federal government: Redefining their appropriate relationship. Change. Web.